SELINSGROVE, PA – After qualifying for the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs for the first time in program history in 2006 thanks to an overtime win over Drew in the regular-season finale, the Susquehanna University men's lacrosse team is eager to build upon that success in 2007.

First-year head coach Ryan Gast will rely upon 19 returning letterwinners, including six starters, and a group of 14 freshmen to help the Crusaders surpass their 8-8 overall record and fifth place finish in the MAC with a 6-4 league mark.

The Crusaders return their top two scorers from last season in juniors BJ Allen (Stamford, CT/Berkshire School) and Ryan Walters (Easton, PA/Easton). Allen led the team with 36 points on 20 goals and 16 assists, while Walters tallied a team-high 27 goals and finished second with 34 points.

Sophomore Greg Norris (St. Catharines, ON/Dennis Morris) added 10 goals and 18 points in 16 games off the Crusader bench, while junior Brendan Greoski (Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall) will be a factor on the attack after missing last season with an injury.

In the midfield, junior Tim Storck (Cockeysville, MD/Dulaney) came off the bench last season to tally 18 goals, including a team-high six man-up goals, while junior Greg Burns (Charlotte, NC/South Mecklenburg) added 12 goals and a team-high 69 ground balls

Junior Shane Enos (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) played in all 16 games last season and finished with seven goals and 31 ground balls, while Bill Francy (New Hope, PA/New Hope Solebury) is the team's lone senior and picked up 17 ground balls in 15 games last season.

Junior Conor Buckley (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) is among the top faceoff men in the MAC as he won 58 percent (167-for-288) of his draws and finished third on the team with 67 ground balls last season.

On defense, junior Luke Burtnett (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) and sophomore Collin Fadrowski (Ellicott City, MD/River Hill) return in starting roles in 2007. Burtnett finished with 17 ground balls last season while Fadrowski tallied 69 ground balls to share the team lead with Burns.

Junior J.D. Lenoir (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) moves into a full-time role on defense after making seven starts last season and picking up 10 ground balls.

In goal, freshman A.J. Schaufler (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards) will get the starting nod for the Crusaders with junior Dan Torie (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) returning to a backup role after playing in the field last season and tallying 37 ground balls.